The regulator is seeking to bring in controls over bulk message service providers, and to develop a voluntary code of conduct for service providers.

The code aims to regulate the use of bulk messaging, primarily SMS, to prevent messages becoming a nuisance. The draft document proposes restricting the sending of messages to the hours of 09:00 and 20:00; limiting the number of commercial messages received to day to two per person; mandatory inclusion of identity and contact details of the sender in the mail; a simple opt out option to be included in mails, cost of responding to the message to be shown in the message, and messages to be opt-in only, so that they can

Dr Mohammed Al Amer, chairman of the TRA said: “In line with the principle of transparency and open dialogue followed by the TRA with all relevant parties, and its keenness to the provisioning of improved telecommunications services to consumers, the TRA is pleased to consult the public on the proposed regulation to manage the commercial bulk messages, and to provide an opportunity for all to participate in the discussion and development of the regulation.”

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Basil Al Arrayed, the TRA’s Director of Communications and Consumers Affairs added: “The establishment of this regulation is based on the opinions of consumers about text messages, where some consumers see the promotional messages as a breach of their privacy and some consider it as a source of useful information. With the proposed regulatory measure TRA balances these needs and concerns by introducing some safeguards to be implemented by licensed operators and the signatories to the code of practice.

“The TRA will be working closely with consumers and consumers’ groups to ensure that consumers’ interest are protected in an increasingly competitive market. We strongly encourage consumers to review this regulation and provide their feedback to assist us in protecting their interests,” he said.

The document will available for comment on the TRA website, www.tra.org.bh until 31st October.